Prepare for a random this-n-that kind of post!

Halloween TV

My initial ideas have been presented to my department's Senior V.P. and he loved them so much, he's getting our national sales team on-board. - This is HUGE. I don't know that I could even describe how huge it is when your SVP feels that your ideas can make money. So...WOW. He also approved all of my copy - called it "very smart." Loves the overall "look" of everything that myself and the graphic designer came up with. So now my boss (V.P.) has deemed me the "Holiday Campaign" queen. She wants me to follow suit and create some great themes and schemes for Thanksgiving and Christmas! She told me I've found a "specialty" for myself. This is such a great feeling, it's difficult to even express!

Typically, everyone "up top" will crap all over creative campaigns when the producers turn them in. - Micro-manage it all and change it to death, until it's pretty much lost its spirit and its essence. I was prepared to deal with it if the Halloween campaign came back to me all torn up with revisions, but it really didn't happen that way at all! Huge surprise there. Wow, work is starting to get fun! And y'know what? I owe this newfound happiness to myself, and that feels even better than getting approvals from an SVP in LA. Had I not taken initiative - taken some risks - this creative "rush" wouldn't be happening at all. And guess what? It's already "paying itself forward." Other departments have been asked to help us out, and it's taking things away from "the norm" and making it fun for everyone. LOVE it when this happens!

Corvo

This is another amazing thing that has taken off so fast, I don't know how to describe it in words....how about a kind of list of things that keep amazing me.

1. Have been helping people out with issues as diverse as "how to sing" to relationship advise to talking them out of suicide to giving advise on their writing. Beautiful, amazing people who just need somebody to look up to...and for that somebody to just be a "real" person.
2. Am judging a poetry contest, and my feedback has really encouraged an amazing group of poets to keep on writing and share their work with everyone in the forum. Again, "paying it forward."
3.
4. Have been told we'd be "The most important band in Mexico" by a guy who is a MANAGER for events in the underground metal scene down there.
5. We're up to 800 friends on MySpace...but the most surprising thing is that I remember them all, I feel like I know them all, and I love them ALL. And these are people from all over the world...including RUSSIA. Yeah...
6. Have started to see us listed on people's "favorite bands" lists - right alongside Evanescence, NIN, Collide, Lacuna Coil, HIM and KMFDM. The feeling that I get from that is....truly and deeply humbling.

Honestly, the list could go on and on. It's hard to believe how truly scared I was to share my most creative self and my voice with the world...all I've gotten from it is a heart that's so full. Even when people don't like us, or give me negative feedback, it honestly doesn't matter, because for every one of them, we've got 100 that adore us. Remind me never to let fear get in the way again.

Now then...if I could just find a way to get some cash flow from Corvo so that I can leave the "day job" behind! But it isn't time for that yet. We don't even have a business account yet, or any of that jazz. Still researching all of that. The money will follow soon enough. What's most important is to make true connections for now...to stay honest and to keep moving forward, even if just with our own "Burkart funds" to invest with right now. At least I'm finding a way to retain a sense of self and happiness at the "day job." Oh, and Greg is LOVING his "day job," by the way!

MacReady

His stitches are removed, and he is bouncing around in this cold weather like a sled-dog puppy. All is right with the world.

Weekend

Finally gonna see Corpse Bride tomorrow! We're also recording our ballad (my vocals) this weekend. Oh, and Greg is writing another song! I have a feeling we'll be having a full-length album rather than just an EP to put out in the spring. Never thought it would happen, but the momentum is really pushing us forward...and actually more effortlessly than I'd ever dreamed.

Family - YOU

I've been cruising around the bloop this week, enjoying getting caught up with you all. When I'm not around the blog for awhile, it's because I'm using 100% of my online time for the band. It's almost like I go "on tour." Heh. But then when I'm able to "come home," I always love coming back "home" to you all. You're my FAMILY. And I love you all so very much, and think of you all so very often. I'm sorry that I'm not able to get to you every day, but I know that you understand. After all, you're the ones who always supported my dreams. Just know that I always miss you when I'm gone...and I will always find time to come back.

Have a wonderful weekend!